attracting/feeding wild birds from window???

Question

hi, i dont have much of a garden and would like to feed the wild birds from my bedroom window (upper storey).

how would i go about this and is there any specialist equipment for feeding birds from windows?

i had thought about suction cups or screws on the wall but was worried the contraption would fall and land on somebodys head!

i just want a simple feeder to give a small amount of seed and some water and maybe a fat ball, i dont mind making one but i dont no what sort of design to go for...

also, do you think it would be wise to put a few plants out to attract them, or would a windowbox on a high window be too dangerous. the problem is i dont know how i would fix the feeders etc. to the ledge or window, any ideas???

i suppose i could look at pet bird feeders to see if they'd be suitable...

Answer 1

Just place unshelled sunflower seeds (sparrows love them) on your windowsill. You don't want to attract large birds because they can be messy.

Answer 2

I also wanted to do this but decided against it as I was afraid that the birds may fly into the window and injure themselves. Also, they can see inside when they are feeding so if you move, you will scare them. I think you can get some sort of reflective film that may prevent them hitting the glass ans it means you can see them but they cant see you. Try looking on the RSPB website for a selection of feeders and you can also ask advice from an expert. You can expect a lot of mess below the feeders so maybe not a good idea if there is a pavement or car parking area below. It would be good if there was a green area / trees below.

Best of luck - I love feeding the birds. They give me a lot of pleasure, but remember you must keep their feeders clean to prevent the spread of disease x

Answer 3

I have a similar situation; I live in an apartment, and there is only a small space to place bird feeders. Many companies such as Wild Birds Unlimited and Wild Bird Centers (in the U.S.), sell a variety of fixtures that you can attach to your house quite easily and securely. If you have a balcony railing, or just a window, they have the right sorts of hangers and stands to allow you to do this. There are also some suction-cup feeders that do attach directly to the windows, but those do tend to be a little unreliable. Without knowing more about your exact situation and your location, it's difficult to be more specific, but perhaps some of the information on these companies' web sites will give you some ideas to make your situation work.

These sites, as well as many good books on the subject, can give you information on how to attract the birds in which you are interested, and how to keep away any "pest" birds (or at least keep them at a minimum).

I personally love to see large birds, because they're tremendously intelligent, but I get a lot of tiny ones, too, like chickadees, several types of sparrows, finches, warblers, and so on. So far, I've counted fifteen separate species at my three feeders. Water is key - while many birds don't necessarily eat seed, the ALL need water!

I would also suggest contacting the Ornithology Lab at Cornell University; they have HUGE amounts of information about bird watching, bird feeding, and conservation.

Edit: In response to the person above me, I've found that birds tend to relieve themselves in a location at least SOME distance from where they eat (as most animals do). If you keep the perches on the feeders small, and don't give them other places on your property to sit, they will generally go into the trees and shrubs nearby to do their business, rather than doing it on your home :-)

Happy bird-watching!

Answer 4

in the garden centers you can pick up (on the birdand wild food) a perspect feeder that sticks to the window (with suckers and these are very sucsessfull for bluetits and all kindes of small birds fat balls are cheap at the moment and are a good source of food good luck john eric p/s the cost is about 4.50 or there abouts

Answer 5

I just got one of these for my Aunt as she cannot get out into her garden and she loves to watch the birds.

It is a simple perspex 'house' with suckers that hold it onto the window.

It can take a little while for the birds to discover that there is food there for them but once they cotton on they will be in it all the time.

http://curiousminds.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/99

Answer 6

Just a word of warning.

I decided to feed birds from my balcony, and ended up with bird s*** everywhere after the first day. Now I go to the park or lake to feed the birds, and my balcony is s*** free.